11 June | NSW Parliament Update

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OVERVIEW

Parliament is back, and it's safe to say it has been a busy few days. Highlights include: 

  • The new Opposition Leader, Chris Minns and Deputy Leader, Prue Car, took on their first Question Time.

  • Penny Sharpe MLC has been appointed as the Opposition Leader in the Upper House, with John Graham MLC as her Deputy.

  • Shane Mallard MLC has been elected as Government Whip in the Upper House and appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and the Aerotropolis.

  • Member for Manly, James Griffin, has been appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for Health, making him Parliamentary Secretary for both Health and Veterans.

  • Member for North Shore, Felicity Wilson, has been appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment.

  • Member for Holsworthy, Melanie Gibbons, has been appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney General, on top of her existing responsibilities for Families, Disability and Emergency Services.

Newly elected Upper Hunter Member Dave Layzell has been sworn in and delivered his Inaugural Speech.

THE NEW OPPOSITION LEADER

New Opposition Leader Chris Minns has led a varied career as a firefighter, mental health charity worker, government staffer and was elected to Parliament in 2015. In opposition, he held the positions of Shadow Minister for Transport, Corrections, and Water. 

Minns appears to be optimistic, passionate about policy, and ambitious to shift Labor to a party of positivity—not just a “professional critic of the government”. Will the new leader rise to overcome the Liberal’s ten-year dominance over state politics? Only time will tell.

Just weeks out from the NSW Budget, Minns is yet to appoint his Shadow Cabinet, which is rumoured to be announced early next week.

QUESTION TIME

The Leader of the Opposition came out with a measured and punchy line of questioning in his first Question Time as leader. Despite this, it was met with a well-rehearsed and compelling defence from the Berejiklian Government.

The key themes were:
Tuesday: Pay rise for NSW paramedics
Wednesday: Federal cuts to Medicare
Thursday: Sydney tolls

NSW BUDGET

All parties are pre-emptively aligning their strategies in anticipation of Treasurer Dom Perrottet's Budget, which is due to be handed down at midday on Tuesday, 22 June. It is expected that this Budget will be very similar to the one handed down last year in terms of overall spend.

Already announced key measures include:

  • $14 million to support and expand the current cost of living measures and programs.

  • 250 international students returning to NSW each week from mid-2021. This sector was worth $14.6 billion in 2019, and it is expected that the return of international students will benefit tens of thousands of NSW residents who rely on this industry.

  • $82.8 million boost for palliative care services. This money is on top of the $220 million that the NSW Government invests each year.

  • $36.4 million for mental health support in regional NSW.

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